Voted #8 Most Romantic Vacation Destination

Santa Barbara was recently ranked number 8 most romantic vacation destination!

"Santa Barbara

Bona fide beach town, the Santa Ynez wine-producing region next door, and loads of spa retreats within driving distance . . . it’s no wonder California’s Santa Barbara gets our nod in the romance department. Its splendid location, between palm-fringed Pacific beaches and the ever-green Santa Ynez Mountains, quaint Spanish-Mediterranean-style architecture, gourmet fare, and posh hotels have attracted West Coast residents for quiet weekends for decades. And no wonder: From wine-tasting in the country’s largest wine-producing region and supping on sublime organic foods, to enjoying massages for two and strolling barefoot on the beach at sunset, a visit here is an undeniably heady experience. Tack on an outing in a hot-air balloon – a favorite local activity – and you’ll be guaranteed to swoon over the scenery, as well as your companion!" Sherman's Travel...

October in Santa Barbara

With the weather at an unusually high of 80 + degrees, isn't it time for a little escape? Bacara or maybe a little splurge to the San Ysidro ranch? The Stonehouse restaurant is waiting for your call. Your table is waiting....

Santa Barbara Fish House

The father son team of Tom and Adam White of the Shellfish Company have taken over the old Chart House location to give us the wonderful: Santa Barbara Fish House. A clean, well lit, fun location to enjoy excellent fresh fish. Oyster shooters for $2 and an ocean view can't be beat. Check it out just below Anacapa street on Cabrillo Boulevard. Take the electric shuttle and ask for directions. Tell them Senor Savvy sent you.

Olio e Limone

Located just down from Bouchon on Victoria Street (17 West Victoria Street) you will find the lovely Italian restaurant Olio e Limone (Oil and Lemon). Husband and wife team Alberto and Elaine Morello built this restaurant from the shell of a childrens store and what used to be the tiny space of Arigato Sushi. This of course long before Arigato became so popular to occupy the monstrous spot they do now on State Street.

Olio e Limone has a wonderful, though expensive, menu. The menu is expansive to include all the favorites. My party ordered the Imported prosciutto with toasted country bread for an appetizer and for my entree I had the Homemade duck ravioli with creamy porcini mushroom sauce. I was a bit disappointed that the taste of the duck was overwhelmed by the mushroom sauce. The taste was lost making the fact it was filled with duck completely irrelevant. My date had the special of the day: halibut and was quite thrilled at the preparation and presentation.

I was most impressed with the large wine list. We chose a bottle of D'Bruno Syrah which was in serious need of being decanted. Our waiter obliged my request and decanted the wine. This Syrah was in much need of breathing, but once it opened up was amazing. I highly recommend it.

If you are looking for a fun spot for a great Italian meal I recommend stopping into Olio e Limone.

Urban Wine Trail

The Santa Barbara Wine country is no longer just in Santa Ynez. I had first hand experience on the Urban Wine Trail of Santa Barbara. Jaffurs Wine Cellar is a new one located just off of Milpas Street on East Montecito Street.

http://www.jaffurswine.com/

I would not recommend that you walk there as it is definately NOT in a good neighborhood. It is however safe enough to drive over and enjoy some great Syrah. They have several varietals to taste side by side and since it is out of the way, you will get excellent customer service. Tell them Senor Savvy sent you.

http://www.wineanddinesb.com/maps/urban.html

Lost Horizon Book Shop

On my latest visit to Santa Barbara I stopped in to see Jerry Jacobs, Proprietor of Lost Horizon Bookstore. I always love seeing what special first editions and art work he has found. I cannot recommend enough a stop to visit this very fine book shop at 703 Anacapa Street next to the wine cask. Go buy some wine and then see Jerry to get a wonderful first edition book for your collection.

Downey's Restaurant Review

January 20, 2009

Sunday night I had the pleasure of dining at Downey's restaurant on State Street. Located a few doors down from the Arlington theatre, Downey's restaurant has been wowing the Santa Barbara food scene for years. John Downey is the master of using the best ingredients and making the flavor's pop. The menu is filled with great offerings. We were met at the door by Jo who showed us to our table, but it only took a few moments to be welcomed by Liz Downey. Liz and her team of two worked that dining room gracefully, professionally, and to perfection. While I never felt that there was any airs of haughtiness, I knew that this was a dining room to be respected.

My date and I chose the "Taste of Santa Barbara" menu, which is pre fixe offering of three courses: Shredded Crab cake on toast, followed by the salad: Tom Shepherd’s Greens with Choice of Two Dressings, followed by the entree: Grilled Duck with Cabernet Sauce, Roasted Artichokes, Pearl Onions & Potatoes.

The crab cake was extremely fresh and perfectly prepared, reminiscent of eating cracked crab on Pier 39 in Stearns Wharf. The presentation and perfection of tastes combined as it were an entree and not just an appetizer.

My date and I received the wrong dressing on our salads, which was quickly fixed for my date. I kept the vinaigrette and wished I had the blue cheese. Not being one to appreciate oil dressing I was no judge for this dressing. But the salad itself was amazing. The blue cheese dressing was divine. This was the only mistake the staff made all night and thus could easily forgive.

The duck breast was grilled to perfection. The wine sauce and side of dark leg meat was not overdone. Being a great fan of duck, I grill quite a bit. This duck was fresh and yet not gamey. While it was cooked medium rare it was not cold or too rare. The sauce and and side was a perfect accoutrement to a perfect meal.

Liz Downey recommended a gerwurtzaminer to accompany our crab and salad. This white wine was perfect for these courses. For our entree, I chose not to go with her suggestion of a half bottle of a wine (whose name I cannot recall,) but instead chose the Stolpman Hilltops Syrah.

http://www.stolpmanvineyards.com/

I was so pleased with this wine that I searched 5 local shops in search of a bottle. Needless to say I was unsuccessful. I sensed that this may not have been the wine that Liz would have chosen for us, but her wine list is amazing and this wine in particular is now one of my all time favorites.

Our dessert was an Apple treat that I can only describe as ambrosia. The tastes cannot be described with mere words. Now that may have been the Syrah speaking, but nonetheless, the dessert was fantastic.

Downey's restaurant always delivers. Years ago when I would recommend this dining room, people would thank me a hundred times over. This is a restaurant to enjoy again and again for all occasions. The kindness of the staff: Jo, Karen (Who turns 21 in 6 weeks) and the regal Liz will make you want to return.

While Zagat ranked this restaurant: 28 for food and 28 for service, I would have to say that there was no air of hautiness often found in a dining room of such caliber. I would have to encourage a visit to experience such a wonderful dining experience for yourself. I look forward to hearing your comments.





Years ago when I was asked what was the best restaurant in Santa Barbara, I would pause for effect then say: Downey's. Absolutely Downey's. Now new restaurants come and go, some good and some great, but Downey's remains a constant in the culinary world of Santa Barbara. I will continue my review of the wonderful meal I had after Christmas. Have a wonderful Holiday. Be safe and healthy.

January 13, 2009.
Happy New Year. I got inspired by my post and booked a trip to lovely Santa Barbara. I called Liz Downey and booked a reservation for this Sunday at 7pm. Liz is a consummate professional and lovely woman who took great care with my request on the phone. I look forward to our dinner. I will give a review early next week.

Politics in America

Please visit my new Blog to discuss Politics in America:

www.presidentsblackberry.com

Since President-Elect Obama must relinquish his Blackberry please help him by posting your thoughts and ideas for keeping him abreast of the issues most important to the American people.

Neverland Ranch Sold November 10th, 2008

While Michael Jackson is living in Dubai and creating drama by entering ladies bathrooms, his Neverland Ranch was quietly sold to his neighbor Thomas J. Barrack, CEO of Colony Capital. Barrack, has owned ranches in Santa Ynez for decades.

Michael Jackson deeded over ownership of Neverland to Sycamore Valley Ranch Company, LLC. Moving vans have been seen up and down Figueroa Mountain road by neighbors. The 2,675 oak studded acres will be a wonderful addition to the real estate collection of the man Donald Trump called the Greatest Real Estate Investor in the world.

Enjoy Mr. Barrack.

Mountain Biking with Pro Shaums March

How would you like the opportunity to mountain bike in Santa Barbara's beautiful Los Padres Forest overlooking the Channel Islands, Goleta and Santa Barbara with a professional mountain biker? Now you can. Shaums March has his own company that will rent you bikes as well as gear and take you on the ride of your life. Three different levels to choose from for all ages. See his website at: http://www.gowithapro.com/classifieds/display.html?id=113